Chasing Winners!

Thankfully BLUE REVELATION proved that ‘The Trainer’ is not yet a ‘Muppet’ and still has some idea of what a good horse not only looks like but feels like to ride too!

The handicapper has given him a rating of 81 on the flat, but the owners’ racing manager, Tony Nerses has given us the option of the N.H. route first, which is very exciting. Being by Exceed And Excel there is always the question of his stamina lasting 2m over hurdles, but his demeanour suggests he might. He has his second lesson with Yogi Breisner tomorrow and that will helps us determine his next step. I like the idea of Cheltenham 2017 and The Arlington Million as 5.y.o. in 2018!

There were more pleasing but irritating 2nds from MISS TONGABEZI and COPPERFACEJACK ,but both of them ran with complete credit, especially as ‘TONGA’s’ conqueror won again at Sandown two days later!

The next couple of days are very interesting and pretty crucial, as we hope to loose five chasers who all have chances of finishing better than second!

HOLLOW BAY will appreciate the better ground at Cheltenham although it is a very competitive Mares Handicap Chase.

SIXTY SOMETHING makes his racecourse comeback after 638 days at Bangor. He has recovered from a serious hock injury That he sustained when falling at the fourth last in The Kim Muir at The Cheltenham Festival in 2015. In the intervening period he had a tendon problem on his off-fore, to has a bit of a mountain to climb!

BREATH OF BLIGHTY has ‘come on plenty’ for his chasing debut at Market Rasen and is this week’s “Muppet Nap”, as I have had the pleasure of riding him a few times recently; at least he’ll feel he is loose when Richie gets on him! I think 2m. around Lingfield on unseasonably reasonable ground will suit him well.

ORCHARD BOY has taken his Leicester second very well and has a good each-way chance in the handicap hurdle on Saturday. He schooled over fences after a lesson with the genius that is Yogi Breisner last week, but we feel his confidence still needs building up.

RHAPANDO is ready to make his long-awaited re-appearance after only 608 days at Lingfield as well and he worked very smoothly with SIXTY SOMETHING at Towcester two weeks ago.

TINDARO feels terrific and I just hope that the ground will be dry enough at Doncaster on Saturday, as I feel he can get back to winning ways. If too much rain falls, watch out for him in a staying handicap on the All-Weather very soon.

We may not be at Cheltenham, but it is still a very big weekend!